Control system



VH. A. MANTZ April 18, 193e.

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 25, 1932 z' Sheets-Sheet' 1 April 18, 1939. H A. MANTZ CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i ?WL-'MAL Sms/77% I 6 7 j JOa April 18, 1939. A. MANTZ 2,155,233

I u CONTROL SYSTEM File'd Jan. 25, 1932 3 SheetS -Sheet 3 I'IIIIIIII Inventar- Patented Apr. 18, 1939 PATENTOF FICEQ CONTBDL SYSTEM mrom a. Mant, Milwaukee,

Wis., assignor to Milwaukee fl` Specialty Company, Milwaukee, Wls., co'poratlon o! Wisconsin Application January 25, 1932, Serial No. 588,688

This invention relates, broadly, to temperature control devices, and more particularly to temperature control devices adapted for use.in connection with ovens and the like, although not limited to this particular use.

I have considered the problem of controlling the temperature of ovens, space heaters and the like, and have observed that the installation of such devices usually entails making unsightly openings in the walls of the oven or enclosure and necessitates the use of pipes, control devices, and the like outside of the oven where they interfere with the operation of the stove and the oven and present an unsightly appearance. These devices are usually complicated and expensive to install and maintain.

I have observed further that in the devices oi this sort heretofore provided the free warping properties of the thermal sensitive member rrequently are interfered with and that it has been diflicult to obtain the desired positioning of the respective parts;

I have conceived of a temperature regulating device which need not project outside the oven above the stove nor need it project in the space in front of the oven. It is readily installed and maintained, and the device is simple, reliable and inexpensive.

It is, therefore, a general object of my invention to provide a convenient, inexpensive, easily installed, dependable temperature regulating and control mechanism.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature control device comprlsing a thermostat, a fuel feed con-V trol mechanism operatively connected to the thermostat, a regulating means spaced at a distance from the feed control mechanism, and an operative connection between the regulating means and the feed control mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device sensitive to changes in temperature in an oven or the like, a fuel flow control means locatedat a distance from the temperature sensitive device, and a device in which control of the temperature of the oven may be eflected at' a distance from these last named devices.

Another important object of the invention is 'to provide a device in which the connection between the temperature responsive device and the regulating mechanism may be carried around cor- :ners or other obstructions or located in irregular channels. i

.Another object of the'invention is to provide a device which may be hidden from view and which will not interfere with the operation or use of the stove, oven or other heating device.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a system of the above character, a thermostat which may be mounted in proper position within the oven or between the walls of a double walled oven and a regulating or selecting mechanism which may be located at a distance therefr'om. A valve structure or other controlling device under the 'control of the selecting means and the thermal sensitive means is adaptedto be spaced away from the thermostat and preferably in proximity tc the heating means or its supply.

Another object is to employ the thermal sensitive member in such a way that it will be positioned and" supported for functioning without binding or interfering in any way with its free warping properties or action when subject to heat; a device in which proper positioning of the respective parts is attained; and a device in which tne selecting means may be positioned remote from and at right angles'or substantially any other desired position with respect to the thermal sensitive member. v

A further object of the invention is to .provide a device of the character described which shall be reliable and inexpensive to operate and maintain, and which may be readily and quickly installed and removed.

T he foreg oing and other objects of the invention, together with their attendant advantages, will be apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the accoinpanying specification and drawings forming a part thereof, it being premised that changes may be .made in the various details and the manner of operation within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and' scope of the invention.

In the drawings: r Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a gas range to which an oven temperature regulator is applied in accordance with mycinvention;

Figure 2 is a view, partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation, of the regulatingdevice shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the temperature regulating mechanism with portions thereof shown in dotted lines and with the oven wall shown in section;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section oi' another regulating mechanism embodying my invention;

Figure 5 is a iragmentary view partly in side 55 elevation and partly in vertical section showing another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of still another embodiment of my invention. r

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete disclosure of a heat regulator mechanism and control system embodying my invention and particularly to Figures 1, 2'and 3, there'is shown at JO, generally, a gas stove or range in which a portion H of ,the range is utillzed for burners of the open type and another portion-of the range is used for an oven |2 in which one or more burners !3 are located. On constructing the` piping may be covered.

My heat regulator mechanism comprises, in' this preferred embodiment, essentially of three parts, a heat control device 20; a thermal sensitive device preferably located at a distance from the heat control device 20 and in a position where it is exposed to the heat from the oven; selecting or a regulating device 22 adapted to regulate the thermal sensitive element and the control device therethrough, and preferably located at a distance therefrom, with means for connecting the respective devices.

The thermal sensitive device 2| may be located in any desired position or location but in the present embodiment of the invention' is preferably within the outer wall 30a of the oven, a suitable inwardly opening recess 30 being provided by bending the inner wall 3811 inwardly about 'the temperature responsive device so that the thermal sensitive device is exposed to the heat ot the oven. By mounting the device in this position it is'out oi the way, does not interfere with the use of the oven, and is in 'position indicative oi the prevailing temperature, therein. In other words, the thermostat is thereby located in a position where it will truly reflect the oven temperature.

The thermal sensitive device 2l is adapted to regulate the heat control device 20 which is preferably located at the lower end of the oven below the level of the top bumers o! the stove and in a position where it may readily be connected to the heating means or its supply, in the illustrated em'- bodiment the main gas supply manifold. If desired, however, the control device may be located adjacent the thermal sensitive device as illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3.

A suitable location for the selecting or regulating device 22, from the standpoint of utility of operation, is in a position on the panel l8. It is very desirable, particularly if enameled sheet material is used for the stove construction, that no openings be made in the outer wall of the oven. If the parts of the temperature control device project outside of the oven `above the stove. they are not only unsightly but may interiere with 'the operation of the range.

I have therefore conceived of a heat regulator device which utilizes a flexible connection between u the thei-mal sensitive device and the selecting or level of the stove, and lead out of the oven wall at a point below the level of the top of the stove and to the selecting or regulating mechanism 22. 'The thermal sensitive member; the heat control device, the selecting device, and the -connecting mechanisms are especially constructed in order that the system will transfer the action or regulating movements of the selecting device to the heat or fuel flow control device to properly regulate the gas supply to the oven burner in accordance with the'temperature of the oven, and without objectionable variations.

-Apreferred emb'odiment of my invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. In this embcdiment of my invention a housing 36 is provided which is relatively flat in proportion to its width. The lower portion of the housing 38 is recessed to provide two chambers 31 and 38 with a dividing wall 39` therebetween. A circular opening 4l is provided in the wall 39 and the opening maybe closed by means of a valve 42 of the f'mushroomdvariety. The valve 42 is normally held in a closed position by means of a spring 43 which bears against the lower side of the valve and against a cap 44 which is threaded to the housing 35 and closes one end of the chamber 31. A push`rod 46 is slidab'ly mounted in the housing 36 and engages the valve 42 so that Vertical reciprocation of the push rod in one direction causes opening of the valve, and in the opposite direction permits spring 43 to close the valve. A cylindrical'recess 41 is provided in the housing 36 above the valve 4l and the push rod is mounted for'reciprocation withina bushing 48 which is threaded into the recess 41, the purpose of the bushing being to seal the joint between the push rod and the housing to prevent the escape of gas.

Gas is brought from the maniiold 50, which is used to supply gas to the top' bumers of the stove, through a suitable fitting 5l` (see Figures 2 and 3) which is fastened to the lower portion v of the wall 3011. adjacent the lower ends of the walls 30a and and of the oven as by means of' then conducted to the oven heater burner l3.^

The fltting 5I is provided with chambers 56 and 51 which are in communication respectively with the manifold 50 and the conduit 54. A hollow boss 58 on one portion of the boss 51 is drilled to provide a passageway from the chamber 58 leading to a conduit 59 which is used to furnish gas for an ignition burner or pilot lighter (not shown). The flow of the gas through the conduit 58 is regulated by means of a needle valve SI for the purpose of regulating the pilot flame at the lighter. Another boss 62 is provided on the fitting 5| and suitable channels lead from the chamber 56 to the chamber 51 through the boss 82 to permit sufiicient gas to flow from the chamber into the chamber 51 to supply a suificient quantity of gas to the 'burner to keep the lighter.

burner burning so longas gas is furnished in the manifold 50. The flow of gas directly from the chamber 56 to the chamber 51 is'controlled by a needle valve 63. V

A bi-metallic strip 66 is loosely pivotally mounted on the housing 36 by means of a fulcrum 68 carried by brackets 61, and the free abutting contacts with the upper ends of stems 46 and 69. The shaft or stern 69 is threaded into a portion of the housing 36 and is provided with a pin 1| which engages in or through a suitable opening in the end of the bi-metallic element 66 to hold it in position. It 'may readily be understood that turning of the shaft 69 produces vertical movement of the pin 1| and hence vertical "movement of the ends of the therm ostatic element 66, to in turn produce vertical movement of the' push rod 46 and opening and closing movement of the valve 42.

The means' for moving or regulating the position of the'shat 69 comprises ashaft 12 which is mounted for rotation in a bushing 13 which is in turn Secured to the panel [8 on the front of the stove. A flange 14 is provided on the bushing 13 and the flange engages a pointer 16 which is located between the flange and the .panel IB. The bushing 13 is threaded so that it may be fastened to the panel by means of a nut 11 and a lock nut 18. A.contro1 Imob 19 is Secured to the shaft 12 as by means of a screw 8| and a substantially conical dial 82 is secured to the shaft 12 by means of washers 83 beneath the knob 16. A flexible conduit 84 is provided with collars 86 and 81 at either end and the collar 86 is engaged to the bushing 13 by means of a flange 88 on the collar 86 and suitably flanged and threaded coupling sleeve 89. The collar 81 is provided With external threads 9| which engage threads 92 in the housing 36 so as' to hold the flexible conduit 84 in place. The turning. motion of the shaft 12 is transmitted to the shaft 69 by means of a flexible shaft 93 which is housed withintthe flexible conduit 84. It is to be understood that only a limited translational movement of the shaft 93 takes place, since the entire range of rotation of the selecting device is less than one revolution, and therefore the translational movement of shaft 93 is less than the pitch of the threads carried by the shaft 69. The shaft 93 is loosely positioned within the conduit 64, and thez'eore this slight movement maybe aca-mmodated for by the looseness of the shaft within the conduit without occasioning any binding action therebetween.

In operation of this device gas is admitted into the manifold 56 by turning on the valve l1. The gas enters chamber 56 and flows upwardly through the conduit 53 and into the chamber 31 and through the boss 56 and the conduit 59 to the Gas 'also flows from the chamber 56 through the boss 62 into the chamber 51 and to the oven heater burner through conduit 50a (Fig-` rotation of the shaft 12 causes rotation of the flexible shaft 83 and consequent rotation of the shaft 69 to produce upward movement of the pin ll. Theupward movement ofthe pin-1! causes corresponding upward movement of that end of the thermostatic element 66 and downward movement of the opposite end about fulcrum 68 to produce downward movement of the push rod 46 and opening of the valve 42 to permit gas to flow from the chamber 31 into the chamber 36 and to the oven burner I3. The quantity of g'as *admitted through the valve is suflicient to raise the temperature within the oven -to the desired extent, but if the' temperature is exceeded, the thermal sensitive element, the metal of greatest coeflicient of expansion of which is placed on the lower side of the strip 66, is deformed and bowed upwardly to permit upward movement of the push rod 46 and consequent closing ^movement of the valve 42 under the biasing action of the spring 43. Closing of the valve 42 results in a lessened flow of gas .to the burner so that the oven temperature does not increase rapidly, is maintained substantially extent' and opensthe valve, 42 sufliciently to increase the gas flow sufliciently to raise the temper-' ature' to the desired value. perature of the oven again becomes' higher than desired, the bi-metallic element bows upwardly 'to permit closing of the valve 42 and consequent decrease of the rate of flow ofgas to cause a decrease in the oven temperature to the selected value; i

It is apparent that there are other methods of regulating the position of the ther-mostatic element 66 and in Figures 4 and 5 I have shown other v means for securing vertical regulatory movement of the thermostatic element. i

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 the shaft 12a. has threaded engagement With the bushing 130, so that rotation of the control knob 19 produces in and out movement of the shaft. The shaft 69a is slidably engaged for vertical movement within the housing 36a and is biased downwardly by means of a spring 94 which rests against the upper er'd of the opening 10a and against a suitable flange on the shaft 69a. A 45 flexible rod 93a is Secured rigidly at one end to the shaft 12a and at the other end to the shaft 69a so that in and out or reciprocatory movement of the shaft 12a is transmitted to the shaft 69a. The

operation of this device is substantially the same as the device shown in Figure 2 except that no rotary motion of the shaft 12a is' transmitted to the shaft 69a but only a reciprocatory motion. The shaft 12a thereby becomes the member which initially produces reciprocation by means of the rotary movement which is imparted.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 the Construction is substantially the same as that shown in connection with Figures 2 to 4, inclusive, but the shaft 12b 'extends to a limited degree only into the flexible conduit 64b as does also the shaft 69b. A plurality of ball members 93b are disposed in the conduit '84b and since the ball members are in contact with each other throughout the conduit, reciprocatory 65 movement of the shaft 12b produces a corresponding reciprocatory movement of the shaft 69b to regulate the thermostatic element 66 in substantially the same manner as before.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in 70 Figure 6 substantially the same regulatlng mechanism is'employed as in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 except that the bushing 130 is inserted through the panel |8 from the back of the p'nel and 1s held in 'place by means ot lock A state of equilibrium is reached so that the If the temperature of the 20 Whenever the tem- 25 H of the conduit 95 and the valve housing may be nuts 'nc and 'lac located on the front of the panel. v

The dial 820 is frictionally held in engagement by the washers 83c corresponding to the washers 83 rod 460 is arranged for vertical reciprocation. A

valve housing 91 is threaded upon the lower end bolted to the lower portion of the wall of the oven by means of bolts 96.

The interier of the housing 91 is divided into two chambers 98 and 99 by a wall o. The chamber 98 is 'connected with the supply manifold 50 and the chamber 99 is connected with the oven burner !3. An opening 4|c through the wall V illl permits gas to flow from the chamber 98 into the chamber 99 and thence to the burner |3 and the rate of flow of the gas through the opening may be controlled by means of the valve 420 which is raised off its seat by the push rods 460, 46d and is biased toward the seat by the spring 43c. The spring 43c rests against a cap 44c which is threaded into the housing 91 to afiord a closure for the chamber 98.

The operation of the device shown in Figure 6 is substantially the same as the operation of the devices previously described but the location of the valve for controlling the flow of fuel to the burner is located in substantially the same horizontal plane with or down near the plane of the' manifold which Supplies gas to the oven burner and therefore it is unnecessary to-carry the gas up within the wall of the oven and back down again in order to reach' the oven burner. In this manner the piping necessary for the gas to reach the burner is simplified and minimized.

It is apparent that I have provided an improved means and method of regulating the flow of fue'l to a burner in order to regulate the temperature of the space of the burner is adapted to heat and that the difierent parts of the system are located at the most advantageous position,

both from the standpont of utilty and Simplicity of ;structure Having thus described my invention I claim: V Y 1. Ina temperature control -mechanism for gas i stoves, a temperature sensitive device located in the oven of the stove, a regulating device located `at a distance therefrom; connecting means for connecting the regulating device with the temperature sensitive device to permit regulation thereo, a fuel flow control means located adia- `cent the temperature sensitive device also within A ture within the oven, a pair of conduits depending from said housing, a fitting at the lower ends of said conduits including a valve, a gas line connected to said flttin'g, a conduit extending from said'fitting to the oven burner, a thermal sensitive device pivoted on said first housing and having one end thereof controlling said. valve, and a selecting device flexibly connected with the opposit e end of said thermal sensitive device.

3. The combination with a gas range provided with an oven having a burner, of a heat regulator therefor, comprising a housing located within the wall of the oven and in position indicative of the prevailing temperature within the oven, a pair of conduits depending from said housing, a fitting at the lower ends of said conduits, a gas line connected to said fitting; a conduit extending from said flttin to the oven burner, a thermal sensitive device mounted on said first housing and controlling 'said valve, a panel infront of the range, a selecting device mounted upon said panel, and a flexible connection between said selecting device and said thermal sensitive device.

HAROLD A. MANTZ. 

